WHO WE ARE

With the world as its market, The Gurin Company is one of the leading independent creators, producers and distributors of non-scripted television, focusing on entertainment, game shows, live events and factual formats.

In fact, formats are at the heart of the company’s DNA. If it’s a format, it’s what we do. The Gurin Company and its founder (award winning producer/writer/creator Phil Gurin) have produced thousands of hours of original programming that has been seen on every major US broadcast and cable network, and in over 150 countries around the world. The top stars, producers, writers, directors and production teams have contributed to the quality brand that is TGC. And with joint creative ventures in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom (just to name a few), The Gurin Company looks everywhere in the world to share and explore first class content.

What’s Going On

CRAIG FERGUSON TO STAR IN NEW NBC PILOT

March 10, 2016

NBC has cast Craig Ferguson, Kyle Howard and Kellee Stewart for the network’s hybrid game show/comedy pilot “Crunch Time,” Variety has learned.
The multi-camera comedy concept will cut between a real game show and the scripted workplace that centers on an up-and-coming producer trying to wrangle the volatile host, Toby (Ferguson). Howard will play Jake, the game show’s head writer and a hipster playwright, who only sticks with the show for the money and his friendship with Emily (the as-yet uncast producer). Stewart will portray Marcelle, Emily’s best friend and confidante, who also works on the game show within the show.

The multi-camera comedy concept will cut between a real game show and the scripted workplace that centers on an up-and-coming producer trying to wrangle the volatile host, Toby (Ferguson). Howard will play Jake, the game show’s head writer and a hipster playwright, who only sticks with the show for the money and his friendship with Emily (the as-yet uncast producer). Stewart will portray Marcelle, Emily’s best friend and confidante, who also works on the game show within the show.

The series hails from Universal Television, David Janollari Entertainment and The Gurin Company. Betsy Thomas wrote the pilot script and will executive produce alongside David Janollari and Phil Gurin, from an original idea by Gurin. The show marks a reunion for “My Boys” creator Thomas and Howard and Stewart, who both starred in the TBS series.

Ferguson currently hosts History Channel’s “Join Or Die,” following his exit as host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show.” Howard most recently appeared on TBS’ “Your Family or Mine,” “Minority Report” and “Royal Pains.” Stewart has had roles in “The Soul Man,” and “Hot Tub Time Machine” and its sequel.

NBC PICKS UP GAMESHOW/COMEDY HYBRID

March 10, 2016

NBC Orders Comedy Pilots Starring Comedians Vladimir Caamaño & Sebastian Maniscalco, Game Show/Comedy Hybrid.Additionally, NBC has given a pilot order to Crunch Time, a hybrid game show/multi-camera comedy written by Betsy Thomas and produced by David Janollari and reality veteran Phil Gurin (Shark Tank).

Written by Sztykiel and Caamaño, it is a family comedy inspired by Caamaño’s real-life family dynamic living with his Dominican father and older brother in the Bronx, which is often featured in his stand-up. In the show, Vlad (Caamaño), the son of Dominican immigrants, wants to carve his own path in life which proves difficult as his father has no desire to change their extremely co-dependent relationship.

New York-based Caamaño already had been on NBC’s radar as a 2013 finalist in the NBC Standup showcase. In addition to the NBC comedy series Undateable, which airs live, Doozer has upcoming CBS action dramedy Rush Hour.

Sebastian, which marks My Name Is Earl creator Greg Garcia return to NBC, was originally developed during the 2014-15 season. The project, from CBS TV Studios and Garcia’s studio-based Amigos De Garcia Productions, was inspired by Maniscalco’s life. Written by Austen Earl, writer-producer on Garcia’s CBS series The Millers, it chronicles Sebastian’s (Maniscalco) old-school values, instilled by his opinionated Italian father, which are constantly put to the test by his new wife, her family, and the absurdities of the modern world.

Earl and Maniscalco, who are friends, co-executive produce. Garcia, Judi Marmel, Norman Aladjem and Alix Jaffe executive produce. NBC had been high on Maniscalco; this is the second project based on his standup/life that the network had developed.

Crunch Time, from Universal TV and Janollari’s studio-based production company, is a hybrid game show/comedy that intercuts between a real game show and the scripted workplace that centers on an up-and-coming producer trying to wrangle the volatile host. Betsy Thomas wrote it and is executive producing alongside Janollari and Gurin.

Who Does What

Phil Gurin

President/CEO

Phil Gurin and The Gurin Company have been creating, acquiring, selling and producing entertainment programs all over the world. Responsible for executive producing and writing thousands of hours of television across multiple genres including entertainment, game, live events, music, dance, hidden camera, comedy, stunt, clip shows, docu soaps and formatted reality, Gurin’s shows have aired on every major U.S. broadcast network, many cable networks and in over 100 countries around the world.

Gurin recently produced the second cycle of The CW’s most successful game show OH SIT! (winner of the 2013 Rose D’Or Award for Best Game Show), the comedy reality series DANCING FOOLS on ABC Family, the fourth season of CMT’s all-time #1 original THE SINGING BEE (previously on NBC), and the fourth season of ABC’s SHARK TANK, for which Gurin received a 2012 and 2013 Emmy nomination. He is currently producing CMT’s first daily series WIN, LOSE OR PAWN, the upcoming TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES for truTV, and DATE MY (SOCIAL) LIFE for E! Channel. He has numerous shows in development in the US, the UK and all around the world. Gurin began his career as a writer on MTV’s REMOTE CONTROL and Nickelodeon’s DOUBLE DARE, MAKE THE GRADE and WILD AND CRAZY KIDS. He worked for more than 70 companies as a development executive and as a freelance writer/director/producer, before establishing his own company in 1997. He went on to produce CBS’ CANDID CAMERA in primetime for four years, which was followed by an extensive run of shows on NBC, including TWENTY ONE, WEAKEST LINK, THE SINGING BEE, MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA. He wrote BEFORE THEY WERE STARS (ABC), NIGHT-RAP (HBO) and he produced six seasons of GSN’s all-time #1 original program LINGO. Other notable credits include NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE, TEST THE NATION, ON THIN ICE:THE DARK SIDE OF SKATING, WORLD’S MOST INCREDIBLE ANIMAL RESCUES, WHEN CAMERAS CROSS THE LINE and GREATEST CHRISTMAS MOMENTS OF ALL TIME (all for FOX), WANNA BET?, SHARK TANK (ABC), YOUR CHANCE TO DANCE, (CMT), US OLYMPIC HALL OF FAME (NBC, USA), WOMEN ROCK, QUEEN FOR A DAY (Lifetime), ALL-NEW 3’s A CROWD, NATURALLY STONED (GSN) and JOAN AND MELISSA: LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET at the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys and SAG Awards (TV GUIDE). Gurin served for 4 years on the Board of Directors for NATPE (National Association of Television and Programming Executives), and is currently on the international Board of Directors for FRAPA (Format Recognition and Protection Association), and is President of THE COPPER CLUB (The Council of Professional Producers Earning Rights). He developed and produces the prestigious TELEVISION ACADEMY HONORS for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, along with their annual TV ACADEMY HALL OF FAME. In 2013, Gurin served on the jury for the MIP Formats International Pitch in Cannes, France, and has appeared on numerous international panels discussing formats, distribution and international co-production.

Marina

Executive Assistant

Joining The Gurin Company from Carmel, Marina utilizes her NYC roots and experience in corporate management to navigate day-to-day operations.

Casey Kelly

Manager of Development

As a proud San Francisco Bay-Area native (and Bay Area sports fan), Casey first began her unscripted television career pounding pavement at the Viacom and BBC offices in NYC while attending NYU – Tisch School of the Arts

After spending some time in London working on a live event show and learning to program at MTV in New York City, Casey was ready to come back to the land of sunshine and tacos. Working directly under the Presidents and Heads of Development at multiple production companies in Los Angeles, Casey learned that some ideas… really are dumb ideas. Casey is thrilled to know be part of the TEAM GURIN development team, turning dust into television gold!

Matt Barker

Head of Production

Matt oversees production for TGC, with a background of producing events, specials, game shows, docu-series, and reality competition series. Prior to joining TGC, his credits included Last Comic Standing, Richard Hammond’s Crash Course, NBC Presents Green Day Live, and Betty White’s Tribute Special.

Phil Gurin and The Gurin Company have been creating, acquiring, selling and producing entertainment programs all over the world. Responsible for executive producing and writing thousands of hours of television across multiple genres including entertainment, game, live events, music, dance, hidden camera, comedy, stunt, clip shows, docu soaps and formatted reality, Gurin’s shows have aired on every major U.S. broadcast network, many cable networks and in over 100 countries around the world.

Gurin recently produced the second cycle of The CW’s most successful game show OH SIT! (winner of the 2013 Rose D’Or Award for Best Game Show), the comedy reality series DANCING FOOLS on ABC Family, the fourth season of CMT’s all-time #1 original THE SINGING BEE (previously on NBC), and the fourth season of ABC’s SHARK TANK, for which Gurin received a 2012 and 2013 Emmy nomination. He is currently producing CMT’s first daily series WIN, LOSE OR PAWN, the upcoming TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES for truTV, and DATE MY (SOCIAL) LIFE for E! Channel. He has numerous shows in development in the US, the UK and all around the world. Gurin began his career as a writer on MTV’s REMOTE CONTROL and Nickelodeon’s DOUBLE DARE, MAKE THE GRADE and WILD AND CRAZY KIDS. He worked for more than 70 companies as a development executive and as a freelance writer/director/producer, before establishing his own company in 1997. He went on to produce CBS’ CANDID CAMERA in primetime for four years, which was followed by an extensive run of shows on NBC, including TWENTY ONE, WEAKEST LINK, THE SINGING BEE, MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA. He wrote BEFORE THEY WERE STARS (ABC), NIGHT-RAP (HBO) and he produced six seasons of GSN’s all-time #1 original program LINGO. Other notable credits include NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE, TEST THE NATION, ON THIN ICE:THE DARK SIDE OF SKATING, WORLD’S MOST INCREDIBLE ANIMAL RESCUES, WHEN CAMERAS CROSS THE LINE and GREATEST CHRISTMAS MOMENTS OF ALL TIME (all for FOX), WANNA BET?, SHARK TANK (ABC), YOUR CHANCE TO DANCE, (CMT), US OLYMPIC HALL OF FAME (NBC, USA), WOMEN ROCK, QUEEN FOR A DAY (Lifetime), ALL-NEW 3’s A CROWD, NATURALLY STONED (GSN) and JOAN AND MELISSA: LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET at the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys and SAG Awards (TV GUIDE). Gurin served for 4 years on the Board of Directors for NATPE (National Association of Television and Programming Executives), and is currently on the international Board of Directors for FRAPA (Format Recognition and Protection Association), and is President of THE COPPER CLUB (The Council of Professional Producers Earning Rights). He developed and produces the prestigious TELEVISION ACADEMY HONORS for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, along with their annual TV ACADEMY HALL OF FAME. In 2013, Gurin served on the jury for the MIP Formats International Pitch in Cannes, France, and has appeared on numerous international panels discussing formats, distribution and international co-production.

Phil Gurin and The Gurin Company have been creating, acquiring, selling and producing entertainment programs all over the world. Responsible for executive producing and writing thousands of hours of television across multiple genres including entertainment, game, live events, music, dance, hidden camera, comedy, stunt, clip shows, docu soaps and formatted reality, Gurin’s shows have aired on every major U.S. broadcast network, many cable networks and in over 100 countries around the world.

MarinaExecutive Assistant

Joining The Gurin Company from Carmel, Marina utilizes her NYC roots and experience in corporate management to navigate day-to-day operations.

Casey KellyManager of Development

As a proud San Francisco Bay-Area native (and Bay Area sports fan), Casey first began her unscripted television career pounding pavement at the Viacom and BBC offices in NYC while attending NYU – Tisch School of the Arts

Matt BarkerHead of Production

Matt oversees production for TGC, with a background of producing events, specials, game shows, docu-series, and reality competition series. Prior to joining TGC, his credits included Last Comic Standing, Richard Hammond’s Crash Course, NBC Presents Green Day Live, and Betty White’s Tribute Special.